The playoff races in all nine regions involving northeast Georgia area teams have begun to really sizzle as the final three weeks of the regular season approaches.
What we do know is five teams -- if you count Region 8-2A, where there are only four teams playing -- already are in. But if you take out 8-2A, only two of the remaining 19 teams have clinched postseason berths. Only one has been eliminated.
For the remaining 16 teams, it’s going to be a mad dash to the finish line in what has been a wild regular season.
For those outside of Region 8-2A, where Banks County, Rabun County, and Union County all are in, only Cherokee Bluff and North Hall in 7-3A have clinched. Only Johnson in Region 8-5A has been eliminated at this point.
But Week 10 could see a lot of movement for a dozen area teams, good and bad.
Seven teams can clinch with outright wins this week, which has games on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday around the area. Three teams face elimination with a loss while half-a-dozen others can stay alive and position themselves with victories.
For the teams that can clinch, Buford can secure a 22nd consecutive playoff appearance with a win over Lanier in Region 8-6A on Saturday. Commerce can advance to its 24th straight playoffs with a win over Social Circle on Friday in Region 8-A Public.
Gainesville, which is tied for the lead in Region 6-7A, can clinch its 21st straight playoffs with a win over West Forsyth or can still advance with a loss to the Wolverines AND a South Forsyth loss to Denmark AND a Forsyth Central loss to Lambert all on Friday night.
Two teams in Region 8-4A can clinch with wins. No. 2-ranked and undefeated Jefferson can clinch with a win over Chestatee or the Dragons can lose to the War Eagles and still get in with a Madison County loss to Flowery Branch AND a Cedar Shoals loss to North Oconee. No. 6 Flowery Branch also can clinch with a win over Madison County AND a Cedar Shoals loss to North Oconee AND a Chestatee loss to Jefferson.
Dawson County in Region 7-3A can advance with a win over tenth-ranked Cherokee Bluff or can get in with a loss to the Bears AND a White County loss to Lumpkin County.
Lakeview Academy is looking to make history. The Lions, who have never advanced to the postseason in their history, can clinch in Class A Private with a King's Ridge loss to St. Francis on Friday. The Lions are off this week
Three teams face elimination this week.
Chestatee needs a win over the No. 2 Dragons AND a Cedar Shoals win over North Oconee to stay alive for another week in Region 8-4A.
Two teams in Region 7-3A also need wins and help to stay alive. Lumpkin County has to beat White County to stay alive while West Hall must beat Gilmer AND get a Lumpkin County win over White County to stay alive.
